Jain Journal 1971 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 38

APRIL, 1971
Then the parents said: 'O sons, do you go. So long as you two live, all the Yadus live. What is dependent on heroism that has certainly been done for us by you, but this fate, hard to transgress, is very strong. We, bereft of good fortune, did not take initiation at Sri Nemi's feet. Now we shall experience the fruit of our actions." When Rama and Krsna did not go, after being told this, then Vasudeva, Devaki, and Rohini said: "Henceforth, our refuge is Sri Nemi, Teacher of the Three Worlds. We shall renounce the four kinds of food. Henceforth, we seeking a refuge, have found the refuge taught by the Arhats. Arhat, Siddha, Sadhu, and dharma. We belong to no one and no one belongs to us." They, having made an ārādhanā, remained engaged in the namaskāra. Dvaipayana rained fire on them, like a fire-cloud; and the three, Vasudeva and the others, died and went to heaven.
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Rama and Krsna went outside the city to an old garden and continued to watch the city as it burned. The walls of jewels were reduced to powder, the pillars of Gosirsa sandal were reduced to ashes, (and). the copings of the walls broke... the roofs of the houses fell. There was no space between the flames. Everything became one fire like one ocean at the destruction of the world. The fire danced, with hands of flames; the fire thundered, with its noise; it brought a net, as it were, in the guise of smoke for the fishes of citizens.
Then Krsna said to Sirin: "Alas! Alas! I, standing on a bank like a eunuch, watch my own city burning. As I am not able to save the city, I cannot endure to see it. Elder brother, say where we can go..."
Balabhadra said:
"Pandu's sons are our friends and connections by blood and marriage. So we shall go to their house... Many times you have benefited Pandu's sons. Grateful, they will welcome us. ..."
Assured by Sirin to this effect, Sarngin set out in the southeast to the Pandava's city, Pandumathura.
Now, in the burning city Rama's son, Kubjavaraka, who was in his last body, (standing) on the top of a palace, his arms held up, said: "I am a discipline of Sri Neminatha, now observing the vow. I was told by the Master that I, having the last body, would attain emancipation. If the Arhat's pronouncement is authority, why am I burned by fire ?" At this speech the Jrmbhaka gods conducted him to the Master's presence.